Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) with Melphalan in Liver-Dominant Metastatic Uveal Melanoma: The German Experience

Peri-Interventional Hemodynamic Management Strategies for Percutaneous Chemosaturation of the Liver in Metastatic Cancer

Background: Hepatic chemosaturation for inoperable liver tumors is a palliative treatment option with a beneficial effect on survival. However, the procedure regularly leads to circulatory failure during the filtration phase, and hemodynamic management is challenging. Our study aimed to compare two different strategies for hemodynamic management during chemosaturation to develop hypotheses for improving patient care and reducing peri-interventional morbidity. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study including 66 procedures of chemosaturation between May 2016 and March 2024. Procedures were divided into two groups: group 1 was managed with norepinephrine as the only vasopressor and liberal use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES). Group 2 was managed with norepinephrine and vasopressin and the preferred use of balanced crystalloids. We compared these two groups with respect to hemodynamic parameters, laboratory values, and post-interventional complications. Results: The heart rate was highest and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was lowest during the filtration phase in both groups (p = 0.868, p = 0.270). The vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) was significantly higher in group 2 during the filtration phase (31.5 vs. 89, p < 0.001). Group 1 received significantly more HES overall (1000 mL vs. 0 mL, p < 0.001). Lactate levels at admission to the ICU were higher in group 1 (22.9 vs. 14.45 mg/dL, p = 0.041). Platelet counts were lower in group 2 from directly after chemosaturation through day 2 (p = 0.022, p = 0.001, p = 0.032). The INR differed significantly directly after chemosaturation (1.13 vs. 1.26, p = 0.015). Overall, group 1 received significantly more blood products peri-interventionally. There were two bleedings and one ischemic stroke in the overall cohort. There was no peri-interventional mortality. Conclusions: Advanced hemodynamic management ensures low peri-interventional mortality and morbidity. High-dose vasopressors, including vasopressin and the preferred use of balanced crystalloids, are sufficient to stabilize circulatory function during chemosaturation.

The Current State of Systemic Therapy of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is genetically a distinct tumor compared to cutaneous melanoma (CM), and due to its low mutational burden, it is far less perceptible to the immune system. Thus, treatments that have revolutionized the treatment of CM remain widely inefficient in metastatic UM or only demonstrate effectiveness in a small subpopulation of patients. To this end, the therapeutic benefit of immune checkpoint blockade is very limited and may come at the expense of severe immune-related adverse events that could potentially affect all organ systems. Notably, tebentafusp, an entirely novel class of anti-cancer drugs, has received official authorization for the treatment of metastatic UM. It is the first agent that demonstrated a survival advantage in a randomized controlled trial of metastatic UM patients. Despite the survival benefit and approval, the restriction of tebentafusp to HLA-A*02:01-positive patients and the low objective response rate indicate the persistent need for additional therapies. Thus, liver-directed therapies are commonly used for tumor control of hepatic metastases and represent a central pillar of the daily management of liver-dominant disease. Further, promising data from targeted therapies independent of MEK-inhibitors, such as the combination of darovasertib and crizotinib, raise hope for additional options in metastatic UM in the future. This narrative review provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the current treatment landscape for metastatic UM.

Efficacy and Safety of the Melphalan/Hepatic Delivery System in Patients with Unresectable Metastatic Uveal Melanoma: Results from an Open-Label, Single-Arm, Multicenter Phase 3 Study

BACKGROUND

Uveal melanoma (UM) has a poor prognosis once liver metastases occur. The melphalan/Hepatic Delivery System (melphalan/HDS) is a drug/device combination used for liver-directed treatment of metastatic UM (mUM) patients. The purpose of the FOCUS study was to assess the efficacy and safety of melphalan/HDS in patients with unresectable mUM.

METHODS

Eligible patients with mUM received treatment with melphalan (3.0 mg/kg ideal body weight) once every 6 to 8 weeks for a maximum of six cycles. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary end points included duration of response (DOR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

The study enrolled 102 patients with mUM. Treatment was attempted in 95 patients, and 91 patients received treatment. In the treated population (n = 91), the ORR was 36.3 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 26.44-47.01), including 7.7 % of patients with a complete response. Thus, the study met its primary end point because the lower bound of the 95 % CI for ORR exceeded the upper bound (8.3 %) from the benchmark meta-analysis. The median DOR was 14 months, and the median OS was 20.5 months, with an OS of 80 % at 1 year. The median PFS was 9 months, with a PFS of 65 % at 6 months. The most common serious treatment-emergent adverse events were thrombocytopenia (15.8 %) and neutropenia (10.5 %), treated mostly on an outpatient basis with observation. No treatment-related deaths were observed.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with melphalan/HDS provides a clinically meaningful response rate and demonstrates a favorable benefit-risk profile in patients with unresectable mUM (study funded by Delcath; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02678572; EudraCT no. 2015-000417-44).

Clinical Characteristics and Special Considerations in the Management of Rare Melanoma Subtypes

Rare histologic subtypes of melanoma, including acral, mucosal, uveal, and desmoplastic melanomas, only make up 5% of all diagnosed melanomas and are often underrepresented in large, randomized trials. Recent advancements in systemic therapy have shown marked improvement in pathologic response rates, improving progression-free and overall survival among cutaneous melanoma patients, but there are limited data to demonstrate improved survival among rarer subtypes of melanoma. Acral melanoma has a poor response to immunotherapy and is associated with worse survival. Mucosal melanoma has a large variability in its presentation, a poor prognosis, and a low mutational burden. Uveal melanoma is associated with a high rate of liver metastasis; recent adoption of infusion and perfusion therapies has demonstrated improved survival among these patients. Desmoplastic melanoma, a high-risk cutaneous melanoma, is associated with high locoregional recurrence rates and mutational burden, suggesting this melanoma may have enhanced response to immunotherapy. While these variants of melanoma represent distinct disease entities, this review highlights the clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment recommendations for each of these rare melanomas and highlights the utility of modern therapies for each of them.

Quality of Life Analysis of Patients Treated with Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion for Uveal Melanoma Liver Metastases

PURPOSE

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion with melphalan (M-PHP) is a minimally invasive therapy with proven efficacy in patients with uveal melanoma (UM) liver metastases. M-PHP is associated with a short hospital admission time and limited systemic side effects. In this study, we assessed quality of life (QoL) in UM patients treated with M-PHP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, single-center study including 24 patients treated with M-PHP for UM metastases to the liver. QoL questionnaires were collected at baseline, on day 2/3 after M-PHP, and on day 7 and day 21 after M-PHP, according to study protocol. The results were scored according to EORTC-QLQ C30 global health status (GHS), functional scales, and symptom scales. The difference in scores at baseline and subsequent time points was analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multiple testing Bonferroni correction. Adverse events (AE) were registered up to 30 days after M-PHP according to CTCAE v5.0.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients (14 males; median age 63.0 years) completed 96 questionnaires. Most scores on all scales declined on day 2/3 after M-PHP. On day 21 after M-PHP, 12 out of 15 scores returned to baseline, including median GHS scores. Three variables were significantly worse on day 21 compared to baseline: fatigue (6-33; p = 0.002), physical functioning (100 vs 86.7; p = 0.003), and role functioning (100 vs 66.7; p = 0.001). Grade 3/4 AEs consisted mainly of hematological complications, such as leukopenia and thrombopenia.

CONCLUSION

M-PHP causes fatigue and a decline in physical and role functioning in the 1st weeks after treatment, but GHS returns to baseline levels within 21 days. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3: Cohort study.

Successful application of chemosaturation with percutaneous hepatic perfusion in metastatic uveal melanoma patient progressing after systemic treatment options: a case report

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare subtype of melanoma, accounting for less than 5% of all melanoma cases. Metastatic UM differs notably from cutaneous melanoma, exhibiting variations in etiology, prognosis, driver mutations, metastatic patterns, and poor responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Beyond local treatment options, such as resection, radiation therapy, and enucleation, and systemic treatments, such as ICIs, the approval of tebentafusp, a bispecific gp100 peptide-HLA-directed CD3 T-cell engager, marks a breakthrough in treating HLA-A*02:01 metastatic UM. Despite the advancements in treatment options, the long-term survival rates remain inadequate. We report a patient with metastatic UM who previously received ICI and progressed on tebentafusp treatment but subsequently exhibited a remarkable response to local treatment targeting liver metastasis. Such observations highlight the significance of exploring sequential therapeutic strategies for advanced UM, offering potential avenues to enhance treatment efficacy and patient prognosis.

Selective Internal Radiotherapy (SIRT) and Chemosaturation Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (CS-PHP) for Metastasized Uveal Melanoma: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Even with liver-targeted therapies, uveal melanoma with hepatic metastasis remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients treated with either SIRT or CS-PHP. We included 62 patients with hepatic metastasized uveal melanoma (n = 34 with SIRT, receiving 41 cycles; n = 28 with CS-PHP, receiving 56 cycles) that received their treatments between 12/2013 and 02/2020 at a single center. We evaluated their response according to the RECIST 1.1, as well as progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), after the initiation of the first cycle of the liver-directed treatment using Cox regression, adjusted via propensity score analysis for confounders, including the amount of hepatic involvement. The disease control rate was 18% for SIRT and 30% for CS-PHP. The median (range) of PFS was 127.5 (19-1912) days for SIRT and 408.5 (3-1809) days for CS-PHP; adjusted Cox regression showed no significant difference (p = 0.090). The median (range) of OS was 300.5 (19-1912) days for SIRT and 516 (5-1836) days for CS-PHP; adjusted Cox regression showed a significant difference (p = 0.006). In our patient cohort, patients treated with CS-PHP showed a significantly longer OS than patients treated with SIRT. CS-PHP might therefore be preferable for patients with liver-dominant metastatic uveal melanoma.

Clinical features and prognosis of patients with metastatic ocular and orbital melanoma: A bi-institutional study

PURPOSE

Metastatic ocular and orbital melanomas are extremely rare. The clinical characteristics and standard treatments for these patients are not fully established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with metastatic ocular and orbital melanoma from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University between January 2012 and May 2022.

RESULTS

Overall, 51 patients with metastatic ocular and orbital melanoma were included. The most common primary sites were uvea (73%), followed by conjunctiva (22%), lacrimal sac (4%), and orbit (2%). Patients with uveal melanoma (UM) had a significantly younger age (48 vs. 68 years, p < 0.001), higher incidence of liver metastases (89% vs. 9%, p<0.001), a lower incidence of lymph nodes metastases (16% vs. 46%, p = 0.043) and a lower incidence of BRAF mutation (0% vs. 55%, p<0.001) compared with patients with conjunctival melanoma (CM). The overall response rate of the first-line treatment was 18%. Three of the four patients with BRAF-mutated CM responded to dabrafenib and trametinib treatment. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of first-line treatment were 5.1 and 11.9 months, respectively. Among patients with liver metastases, liver-directed treatment was correlated with better patient PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001) after adjusting for number of metastatic sites and primary sites.

CONCLUSION

CM and UM have different characteristics. Patient with CM had a high incidence of BRAF mutation, and the treatment of BRAF and MEK inhibitors conferred clinical benefit. Liver directed therapies had a potential benefit in disease control in patients with liver metastases.

Heparin reversal with protamine sulfate after Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP): is less more?

PURPOSE

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) is a palliative intraarterial therapy for unresectable hepatic malignancies. During PHP, high-dose melphalan is infused via the hepatic artery to saturate tumor in the liver with the chemotherapeutic substance. The venous hepatic blood is filtered by an extracorporeal melphalan specific filtration system. Blood clotting in the extracorporeal filter system is prevented by administering unfractionated heparin (UFH) in high doses, which might be reversed with protamine sulfate after the procedure. Aim of this retrospective two-center-study was to analyze the potential effect of UFH reversal with protamine sulfate on complication rates following PHP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients receiving PHP treatment between 10/2014 and 04/2021 were classified according to their intraprocedural coagulation management: 92 patients/192 PHP received full UFH reversal with protamine (group_PROTAMINE); 13 patients/21 PHP in group_{REDUCED_PROTAMINE} received a reduced amount of protamine, and 28 patients/43 PHP did not receive UFH reversal with protamine (group_{NO_PROTAMINE}). Periinterventional clinical reports, findings and laboratory values were retrospectively evaluated. Complications and adverse events were classified according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEv5.0).

RESULTS

Thromboembolic events were recorded after 10 PHP procedures (5%) in group_PROTAMINE, six of which (3%) were major events (CTCAE grade 3-5). No (0%) thromboembolic events were recorded in group_{REDUCED_PROTAMINE} and group_{NO_PROTAMINE}. Hemorrhagic events were registered after 24 PHP (13%) in group_PROTAMINE, two of which (1%) were major (CTCAE grade 3-4). In group_{REDUCED_PROTAMINE}, only minor bleeding events were recorded, and one major hemorrhagic event was documented in group_{NO_PROTAMINE} (2%). There was a significant difference between the percentage of post-interventional thrombopenia in group_PROTAMINE (39%) and group_{REDUCED_PROTAMINE} (14%) versus group_{NO_PROTAMINE} (23%) (p=.00024). In group_PROTAMINE one patient suffered from a severe anaphylactic shock after the administration of protamine.

CONCLUSION

Our retrospective study implies that there might be a link between the practice of protamine sulfate administration to reverse the full hemodilutive effect of UFH after PHP and the post-interventional risk of thromboembolic events as well as clinically significant thrombopenia. Our data suggest that the standard use of protamine sulfate after PHP in low-risk patients without clinical signs of active bleeding should be critically re-evaluated.

Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Hepatic Uveal Melanoma Metastases

Uveal melanoma is one of the most common primary intraocular malignancies that accounts for about 85% of all ocular melanomas. The pathophysiology of uveal melanoma is distinct from cutaneous melanoma and has separate tumor profiles. The management of uveal melanoma is largely dependent on the presence of metastases, which confers a poor prognosis with a one-year survival reaching only 15%. Although a better understanding of tumor biology has led to the development of novel pharmacologic agents, there is increasing demand for minimally invasive management of hepatic uveal melanoma metastases. Multiple studies have already summarized the systemic therapeutic options available for metastatic uveal melanoma. This review covers the current research for the most prevalent locoregional treatment options for metastatic uveal melanoma including percutaneous hepatic perfusion, immunoembolization, chemoembolization, thermal ablation, and radioembolization.

Regional chemotherapy for uveal melanoma liver metastases

Chemotherapy remains an important approach for the treatment of liver metastases from uveal melanoma (UM). Compared with systemic chemotherapy, regional chemotherapy has similar efficacy and fewer systemic adverse effects. Regional chemotherapy for UM liver metastases includes hepatic artery infusion (HAI), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP). In this review, we aim to examine the efficacy of regional chemotherapy and compare HAI, TACE, and IHP in terms of overall survival (OS). The three approaches showed no obvious difference in OS results.

New perspectives in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma? Evaluation of chemosaturation with percutaneous hepatic perfusion as a palliative treatment option

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are the second most common primary liver tumors and carry a dismal prognosis. Chemosaturation with percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) is a palliative, intra-arterial therapeutic approach that provides a high dose chemotherapy of the liver with reduced systemic exposure. Aim of this retrospective, monocentric study was to analyze PHP as a palliative treatment for unresectable CCA. Toxicity, adverse events and complications were classified using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5.0). Overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST1.1). Median overall survival (mOS), median progression-free survival (mPFS) and hepatic mPFS (mhPFS) were computed using Kaplan-Meier estimation. In total 17 patients were treated with 42 PHP between 10/2014 and 09/2020. No significant complications occurred during the interventions. mOS was 27.6 (interquartile range (IQR) 16.5-37) months from first diagnosis and 9.9 (IQR 3.8-21) months from first PHP. mPFS was 4 (IQR 2-7) and mhPFS was 4 (IQR 3-10) months. ORR was 25% and DCR 75%. Significant, but transient hematotoxicity was frequent with grade 3/4 thrombopenia after 50%, leukopenia after 26% and anaemia after 21% of the interventions. An increase of transaminases (AST increase after 21% and ALT increase after 14% of the PHP) developed more often than a deterioration of the liver synthesis capacity. Salvage treatment with PHP has the potential to prolong life in selected patients with unresectable, refractory cholangiocarcinoma. The interventional procedure is safe. Post-interventional toxicity is frequent but manageable.

[Anesthesiological and postinterventional management in percutaneous hepatic melphalan perfusion (chemosaturation)]

Percutaneous hepatic melphalan perfusion (PHMP) is a last-line treatment of inoperable primary or secondary liver tumors. Selective perfusion and saturation (chemosaturation) of the liver with the chemotherapeutic agent melphalan is performed via catheterization of the hepatic artery without affecting the rest of the body with its cytotoxic properties. Using an extracorporeal circulation and balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava, the venous hepatic blood is filtered and returned using a bypass procedure. During the procedure, considerable circulatory depression and coagulopathy are frequent. The purpose of this article is to review the anesthesiological and postprocedural management of patients undergoing PHMP with consideration of the pitfalls and special circumstances.

Chemosaturation for primary and secondary liver malignancies: A comprehensive update of current evidence

Regional therapies for primary and secondary liver tumors have garnered interest in recent years and several types of treatment approaches have been pursued to control disease, palliate symptoms, and extend survival. Chemosaturation is an innovative way to deliver high-dose chemotherapy to the liver via the hepatic artery. Within the last decade, "isolated hepatic perfusion" (IHP) has evolved from an open surgical approach to a minimally invasive procedure, now termed "chemosaturation" (CS) with "percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP)". The most conclusive data on CS-PHP is currently available for patients with hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma (UM) - a rare but devastating disease with a poor long-term survival rate. A global phase-3 study and several cohort studies have provided compelling evidence that CS-PHP is an effective salvage treatment for liver-dominant metastatic UM in institutions with appropriate expertise. In this review we provide an overview on the technique, available clinical data, including safety and efficacy, and potential indications for CS-PHP.

Preclinical Evaluation of Trabectedin in Combination With Targeted Inhibitors for Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Purpose

Uveal melanoma (UM) is considered a rare disease; yet, it is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults. Although the primary tumor may be efficiently managed, more than 50% of patients with UM develop distant metastases. The mortality at the first year after diagnosis of metastatic UM has been estimated at 81%, and the poor prognosis has not improved in the past years due to the lack of effective therapies.

Methods

In order to search for novel therapeutic possibilities for metastatic UM, we performed a small-scale screen of targeted drug combinations. We verified the targets of the tested compounds by western blotting and PCR and clarified the mechanism of action of the selected combinations by caspase 3 and 7 activity assay and flow cytometry. The best two combinations were tested in a mouse patient-derived xenograft (PDX) UM model as putative therapeutics for metastatic UM.

Results

Combinations of the multitarget drug trabectedin with either the CK2/CLK double-inhibitor CX-4945 (silmitasertib) or the c-MET/TAM (TYRO3, Axl, MERTK) receptor inhibitors foretinib and cabozantinib demonstrated synergistic effects and induced apoptosis (relative caspase 3 and 7 activity increased up to 20.5-fold in UM cell lines). In the case of the combination of foretinib and cabozantinib, inhibition of the TAM receptors, but not c-Met, was essential to inhibit the growth of UM cells. Monotreatment with trabectedin inhibited tumor growth by 42%, 49%, and 35% in the MM26, MM309, and MM339 PDX mouse models, respectively.

Conclusions

Trabectedin alone or in combination with cabozantinib inhibited tumor growth in PDX UM mouse models. Blocking of MERTK, rather than TYRO3, activity inhibited UM cell growth and synergized with trabectedin.

Predictive Parameters in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion with Melphalan for Unresectable Liver Metastases from Uveal Melanoma: A Retrospective Pooled Analysis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify positive predictors for survival in uveal melanoma (UM) patients treated with percutaneous hepatic perfusion with melphalan (M-PHP), by retrospectively pooling data from three centers.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis including patients (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\ge$$\end{document}≥ 18 years) treated with M-PHP between February 2014 and December 2019 for unresectable liver-dominant or liver-only metastases from UM. Predictors for OS were assessed using uni- and multivariate analyses. Other study outcome measures were response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), liver progression-free survival (LPFS), overall survival (OS) and complications according to CTCAEv5.0.

Results

In total, 101 patients (47.5% males; median age 59.0 years) completed a minimum of one M-PHP. At a median follow-up time of 15.0 months, complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease were seen in five (5.0%), 55 (54.5%), 30 (29.7%) and 11 (10.9%) patients, respectively, leading to a 89.1% disease control rate. Median PFS, LPFS and OS were 9.0, 11.0 and 20.0 months, respectively. Survival analyses stratified for radiological response demonstrated significant improved survival in patients with CR or PR and SD category. Treatment of the primary tumor with radiotherapy, ≥ 2 M-PHP and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) < 248 U/L were correlated with improved OS. Thirty-day mortality was 1.1% (n = 2). Most common complication was hematological toxicity (self-limiting in most cases).

Conclusion

M-PHP is safe and effective in patients with UM liver metastases. Achieving CR, PR or SD is associated with improved survival. Primary tumor treatment with radiotherapy, normal baseline LDH and > 1 M-PHP cycles are associated with improved OS.

Thrombotischer Verschluss der extrakorporalen Zirkulation während hepatischer Chemosaturation trotz zielgerechter Antikoagulation

Die perkutane hepatische Chemosaturation ist eine Behandlungsoption bei nichtresektablen primären oder sekundären Lebertumoren. Dabei wird der Bereich der Lebervenenmündung der Vena cava inferior (VCI) mittels 2 Ballons von der Zirkulation isoliert, sodass die systemische Verteilung des über die Leberarterie applizierten Chemotherapeutikums Melphalan verhindert wird. Nach Passage der Leber und venöser Drainage aus der retrohepatischen VCI durchläuft das chemosaturierte Blut 2 parallel geschaltete extrakorporale Filter. Anschließend wird das gereinigte Blut jugulär rückgeführt. Das Verfahren geht oft mit einer ausgeprägten hämodynamischen Instabilität einher, deren Ursache nicht abschließend geklärt ist. Zusätzlich stellt das Gerinnungsmanagement eine Herausforderung dar. Die Autoren berichten von einem Fall, bei dem sich trotz ausreichender „activated clotting time“ (ACT) ein Thrombus im rückführenden Schenkel der extrakorporalen Zirkulation bildete. Gezielte Problemsuche und -lösung waren parallel zur hämodynamischen Stabilisierung und interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit notwendig, um die Intervention erfolgreich durchzuführen und der Patientin eine sichere Therapie zukommen zu lassen.